Cyd Charisse
Biography
Cyd Charisse was an American dancer and actress born Tula Ellice Finklea on March 8, 1922. After recovering from polio as a child and studying ballet, she entered films in the 1940s. Her film roles typically highlighted her dancing abilities, leading to pairings with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Her film credits include Singin in the Rain in 1952, The Band Wagon in 1953, Brigadoon in 1954, and Silk Stockings in 1957. Although she stopped dancing in films during the late 1950s, she continued acting in both film and television. In 1992, she made her Broadway debut. She passed away on June 16, 2008, at the age of 86.
Career overview
Cyd Charisse, born Tula Ellice Finklea on March 8, 1922, was an American dancer and actress. As a child, she recovered from polio and studied ballet before entering the film industry in the 1940s. Her film roles consistently featured her dancing abilities, leading to famous pairings with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Among her notable motion picture appearances are Singin in the Rain in 1952, The Band Wagon in 1953, Brigadoon in 1954, and Silk Stockings in 1957.
By the late 1950s, she stopped dancing in films, but she continued her acting career in both film and television. Later in her career, she made her Broadway debut in 1992. Her life spanned from her birth in Amarillo, Texas, until her death on June 16, 2008. Throughout her extensive entertainment career, she accumulated numerous credits in acting across various media.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
88 titles- The Fabulous Allan Carr (2017) as Self (archive)
- Empire State Building Murders (2008) as Vicky Adams
- It's Always Fair Weather: Going Out on a High Note (2006) as Self (Archive Footage)
- Get Aboard! 'The Band Wagon' (2005) as Self
- AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies (2004) as Self
- Cole Porter in Hollywood: Satin and Silk (2003) as Self - Hostess
- Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002) as Self
- What a Glorious Feeling: The Making of 'Singin' in the Rain' (2002) as Self
- Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration (2001) as Self
- Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days (2001) as Self
- HARDtalk (1997)
- Inside the Dream Factory (1995) as Self
- Burke's Law (1994) as Amanda Richardson
- That's Entertainment! III (1994) as Self - Co-Host / Narrator
- Frasier (1993) as Polly (voice)
- Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking (1991) as (archive footage)
- Dance Crazy in Hollywood (1990) as Various Roles (archive footage)
- You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story (1990) as Self
- Swimsuit (1989) as Mrs. Allison
- Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (1987) as Self
- That's Dancing! (1985)
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Myrna Montclair
- Crazy like a Fox (1984) as Barbara Carlisle
- Glitter (1984) as Ethel Woodley
- Portrait of an Escort (1980) as Sheilah Croft
- Fantasy Island (1978) as Queen Delphia
- Warlords of Atlantis (1978) as Atsil
- The Love Boat (1977) as Eve Mills
- Donny & Marie (1976) as Self
- That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage)
- Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) as President's Girl 4
- That's Entertainment! (1974) as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
- The Men Who Made the Movies: Vincente Minnelli (1973) as Self (archive footage)
- Fol-de-Rol (1972) as Various Characters
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Medical Center (1969)
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Alicia Warren
- Maroc 7 (1967) as Louise Henderson
- The Silencers (1966) as Sarita
- Christmas with Crosby & Kate (1966) as Herself
- Assassination in Rome (1965) as Shelley North
- The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self - Dancer
- Marilyn (1963) as archive footage
- Two Weeks in Another Town (1962) as Carlotta
- Five Golden Hours (1961) as Baroness Sandra
- Black Tights (1961) as The Widow
- Startime (1959) as Self
- Party Girl (1958) as Vicki Gaye
- The All-Star Christmas Show (1958) as Self
- Twilight for the Gods (1958) as Charlotte King
- Silk Stockings (1957) as Ninotchka Yoschenko
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956) as Maria Corvier
- MGM Parade (1955) as Self
- MGM Parade (1955)
- It's Always Fair Weather (1955) as Jackie Leighton
- Deep in My Heart (1954) as Performer (segment "The Desert Song")
- Brigadoon (1954) as Fiona Campbell
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- The Band Wagon (1953) as Gabrielle Gerard
- Easy to Love (1953) as Model (uncredited)
- Sombrero (1953) as Lola de Torrano
- Singin' in the Rain (1952) as Dancer
- The Wild North (1952) as Indian girl
- The Mark of the Renegade (1951) as Manuella de Vasquez
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- East Side, West Side (1949) as Rosa Senta
- Tension (1949) as Mary Chanler
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Words and Music (1948) as Margo Grant
- On an Island with You (1948) as Yvonne Torro
- The Kissing Bandit (1948) as Dancer
- Fiesta (1947) as Conchita
- The Unfinished Dance (1947) as Mlle. Ariane Bouchet
- Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) as Dance Specialty
- The Harvey Girls (1946) as Deborah Andrews
- Three Wise Fools (1946) as Rena Fairchild
- Ziegfeld Follies (1945) as Ballerina (segment "Beauty")
- In Our Time (1944) as Ballerina (uncredited)
- Thousands Cheer (1943) as Dancer (uncredited)
- Mission to Moscow (1943) as Galina Ulanova - Ballerina (uncredited)
- Something to Shout About (1943) as Lily
- This Love of Mine (1942) as Dancer (uncredited)
- The Gay Parisian (1942) as Dancer (uncredited)
- Escort Girl (1941) as Flamenco Dancer (uncredited)
- Rhumba Serenade (1941)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Cyd Charisse best known for?
Cyd Charisse is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including HARDtalk (1997), Burke's Law (1994), That's Entertainment! III (1994), Frasier (1993).
When and where was Cyd Charisse born?
Cyd Charisse was born on March 8, 1922 in Amarillo, Texas, USA. They passed away on June 16, 2008.
How many credits does Cyd Charisse have?
Cyd Charisse has accumulated over 88 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1941 to 2017.
What is Cyd Charisse's background in cinema and television?
Cyd Charisse was an American dancer and actress born Tula Ellice Finklea on March 8, 1922. After recovering from polio as a child and studying ballet, she entered films in the 1940s. Her film roles typically highlighted her dancing abilities, leading to pairings with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Her film credits includ...
Cyd Charisse by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- HARDtalk (1997) — aged about 75
- Singin' in the Rain (1952) as Dancer — aged about 30
- Frasier (1993) as Polly (voice) — aged about 71
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Myrna Montclair — aged about 62
- MGM Parade (1955) as Self — aged about 33
- MGM Parade (1955) — aged about 33
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